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Mr Burke said the department's response, outlining Nweke's criminal history, had found its way into the media before arriving at his office, suggesting the government was trying to distract attraction from its unpopular budget.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Burke had shown a lack of judgment and due diligence, and he was not being "fair dinkum" by trying to distance himself from the letter.

"He needs to explain to his constituents that when he writes to ministers he doesn't really mean it," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.